Latest Releases
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Demands Accountability from USPS Leadership Following Damning Report on Postal Failures in Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [5.29.24] – Today, U.S. Senator Tina Smith sent a scathing letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, following a United States Postal Service (USPS) Inspector General (OIG) report that reveals severe management failures contributing to critical postal service disruptions in Bemidji and the broader Minnesota-North Dakota District, including around 80,000 pieces of delayed mail. Senator Smith is calling for immediate action to address these failures and restore reliable postal service for Minnesotans. The OIG report reveals that the Bemidji Post Office only had eight days warning before their package volume doubled and Postal Service management failed to confirm that the facility had the staffing or resources to accommodate the increased volume. It also found that local postal workers were not properly trained to avoid these issues. The report attributes these problems directly to national and district management missteps, resulting in untenable working conditions for postal workers and severe delays in mail delivery. “The findings of the Inspector General’s report are deeply troubling and highlight severe mismanagement within the USPS that has led to unacceptable delays and unnecessary hardships for postal workers and Minnesotans,” said Sen. Tina Smith. “Reliable postal service is not a luxury—it’s a necessity for accessing medications, paychecks, and staying connected with loved ones. It is imperative that USPS leadership takes immediate action to address these issues and restore trust in our postal system.” Senator Smith’s letter stresses the urgency of rectifying these issues and holds USPS leadership accountable for ensuring Minnesotans receive the reliable postal service they depend on for essential
Klobuchar, Smith Secure Funding for the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN) announced that they secured $250,000 in funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 federal budget for the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester’s Off-site Program Expansion project. This expansion will double the number of K-12 students served by the Rochester Boys & Girls Club. “Nonprofits like the Boys & Girls Club of Rochester offer important resources for kids to improve their academics and lead healthy lives,” said Klobuchar. “With the resources we secured, the Boys & Girls Club will be able to fund their expansion project to meet the needs of the community.” “Developments in community outreach are crucial for strengthening Minnesota communities,” said Smith. “Investing in the Boys and Girls Club in Rochester will connect kids to the resources they need to lead healthy lives and are crucial to protecting the safety and future of our communities.” Klobuchar and Smith have been actively involved in securing this federal funding for projects benefiting communities across the state through a process called “Congressionally Directed Spending” (CDS). During the CDS process, Klobuchar and Smith have considered project proposals and advocated for funding in close coordination with leaders from across the state. Projects are expected to receive funding over the next several months. ###
Senators Smith, Ernst Call for National Women in Agriculture Day
WASHINGTON – During Women’s History Month and National Agriculture Week, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa)—both members of the Senate Agriculture Committee—are calling for this upcoming Thursday, March 24, to be designated as “National Women in Agriculture Day,” honoring “the countless women who help agriculture prosper both at home and abroad.” The senators are introducing a bipartisan resolution that has the support of 55 fellow senators. “Agriculture is the backbone of Minnesota’s diverse economy,” said Senator Smith. “Women have always played an essential role in this sector, and I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to set
U.S. Sens. Tina Smith Secures Significant Federal Funding to Build Rapid Transit Line in Minneapolis
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced that she has secured $5 million in federal funding to help build the E Line Bus Rapid Transit Line. “This project will help expand the transit system in Minneapolis with another fast, affordable way to get around the city,” said Senator Smith. “Transit projects like this one are a win for the local economy, help reduce traffic congestion, and are good for the environment. I’m proud of our work to secure these resources and directly improve the lives of Minnesotans.” The E Line Bus Rapid Transit Line will provide fast and reliable
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Secures $3.6+ Million in Funding for Special Projects to the Twin Cities
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/18/22]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced the funding of several special projects in the Minneapolis and Saint Paul metro area. She has worked to bring $3,699,000 in total across five projects, which vary from Native American health care and job training, expanding access to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) experiences for young students, support for students with disabilities, and economic development for the African American Rondo community in Saint Paul. “All of these projects are critical investments in communities across the Twin Cities metro area,” said Sen. Smith. “Investing in Native health care and job training, expanding
U.S. Senator Tina Smith Secures $300,000+ in Federal Funding for Northern Minnesota
WASHINGTON, D.C. [03/18/22]—U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) announced federal funding to be awarded to two projects in Northern Minnesota. $305,000 will be provided to the Aitkin County Sheriff’s office to upgrade equipment, and $14,000 will be given to Morrison County United Way to support their “Imagination Library” childhood literacy program which gives children one book a month for the first five years of their lives (the program is in conjunction with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library). “These are two important investments that will support communities in Northern Minnesota. The Aitkin County Sheriff’s Office has been using outdated communications equipment and
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